James Monroe

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the book from the library is that the author is Gary Hart. Yes its the same Gary Hart who was a US Senator from Colorado and was the front runner for the 1988 Democratic nomination for President until an extra martial affair derailed his bid.

Some milestones of Monroe's life:

Served in the Revolutionary Army and was one of the Founding Fathers.

1803 appointed envoy to France
Helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. The United States acquiring the Louisiana Purchase may go down in history as the best real estate transaction of all time. Monroe was instrumental in the negotiations in obtaining Louisiana.

1811 Secretary of State
When reading the books I am always looking for common themes and characteristics of Presidents. An early trend for becoming President is Secretary of State. Jefferson (3rd), Madison (4th), Monroe (5th) and John Quincy Adams (6th) all served as SOS prior to becoming President.

1816 Elected President
Was the last President of the Virginia dynasty after Washington, Jefferson and Madison. Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person toward determining electoral college voters. This is the reason Virginia dominated the Presidency holding the office for 32 of the first 36 years of America.

1820 Reelected President and Missouri Compromise
Missouri Compromise admitted Maine as a free states and Missouri as a slave state. It banned slavery north of the 36 30 line (excluding Missouri). This kept the balance of power in Congress between slave and free states.

1823 Monroe Doctrine
Originally know as the Principles of 1823. This has guided United States for close to 200 years. Here are some excerpts from Monroe's message to Congress.

1. Neither North or South America should any longer be considered subject to colonization by any European power.
2. Any effort by any European power to extend its monarchical system of government to any portion of the Western Hemisphere will be considered as a hostile act by the United States.
3. Although the United States will not interfere in existing South American colonial relations, any effort to reassert European power over those former colonies who have declared themselves to be independent republics, and have been recognized as such by the United States, will be seen as an unfriendly act by the United States.
4. The United States will remain neutral in any ongoing war between Spain and the new South American republics as long as new circumstances do not require additional steps by the United States to ensure their security.
5. The United States will continue to refrain from interference in the affairs of any European power and will seek to maintain cordial relations with all, but in turn will not itself accept being interfered with by them.
6. Allied European powers should not seek to impose their monarchical system of government anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

Monroe will not go down in history as a great President. He will go down in history as the first National Security President and led the United States through a transitional period.

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